(noob) attic ventalation

What are the temps in the various rooms, when you set a thermometer in them for a period of time? As for the staining, it could be caused by inaddicute airflow in those rooms, due to limited air movement caused by no return, could also be caused due to the house was not taken care of by the previous residents, or closed up for a long period of time between the time that it was inhabited, and the time that you moved in.

Is there any staining of the sheathing in the attic when you last went up there to do that wiring, or mentioned by the inspector, when they went through the property?

(noob) attic ventalation

In general the upper level stays 6-10ish degrees higher than the main level.(I need to buy a good thermometer) The main level has the thermostat, as far as the staining its new. We repainted the entire house before we moved in a little more than a year ago. The roof sheeting is stain free, that's why i think there isn't proper ventilation up there. All of the roofs in this neighborhood have been replaced. They all used to have that frp board that rotted real fast. There is 1 house with a very saggy roof. I don't think my attic is right, nothing else was here, it was all 1980s builders grade..

(noob) attic ventalation

If it is staining after you painted, then yes conclusion is, that there is not enough airflow up in the attic. Get one of the weather forecaster units from Radioshack that has the remote sensor and place the sensor up in the attic. Here is one for $25 http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...Value=Wireless There is also one out there that connects via USB to your computer that allows you to take temp & humidity readings for various situations.

(noob) attic ventalation

I only see 4 vents in the back soffit, can't see the front, and can't see if you have any other venting on the roof other than the ridge vent. More insulation will probably help inside house comfort. But your roof still may still need better airflow. Vented panels along the entire soffit if possible (would be much better than one 12" ventilated panel every few feet that you have now), and baffles stapled to underside of roof to keep insulation from blocking the air flow to the hip, and I think your attic will probably breathe much easier. Check that first, as you may just find that someone stuffed the fiberglass batting too tight against the soffit, preventing air from entering from under the soffit area.
Pic/website of baffle/insulation: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=prope...:12,s:60,i:233
pic/website of proper airflow: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=prope...r:6,s:60,i:220